Maternal multi-nutrient against diabetes-related birth defects

Abstract

The present invention provides uses of multi-nutrient supplements to rescue aberrant biochemical pathways and reduce birth defect caused by maternal diabetes. Choice of supplements is based on the ability of each supplement to correct the following hyperglycemia-associated abnormalities: increased reactive oxygen species generation, abnormal membrane phospholipid metabolism, and decreased glutathione synthesis.

1. A dietary supplement for reducing birth defects caused by maternal diabetes consisting of:
 (a) an effective amount of lipoic acid; 
 (b) an effective amount of vitamin C; 
 (c) an effective mount of vitamin E; 
 (d) an effective amount of arachidonic acid; 
 (e) an effective amount of a folic acid; and 
 (f) an effective amount of N-acetylcysteine. 
 
     
     
       2. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of lipoic acid is from about 1 mg to about 100 mg. 
     
     
       3. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of vitamin C is from about 10 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
       4. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of vitamin E is from about 50 IU to about 500 IU. 
     
     
       5. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of N-acetylcysteine is from about 250 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
       6. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of folic acid is from about 100 μg to about 800 μg. 
     
     
       7. The dietary supplement of  claim 1 , further consisting of an effective amount of myoinositol. 
     
     
       8. A dietary supplement for reducing birth defect caused by maternal diabetes consisting of:
 (a) an effective amount of at least one of lipoic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E; 
 (b) an effective amount of arachidonic acid; 
 (c) an effective amount of at least one compound that support glutathione synthesis “selected from folic acid and N-acetylcysteine” and; (d) an effective amount of myoinositol. 
 
     
     
       9. The dietary supplement of  claim 8 , wherein the effective amount of said lipoic acid is from about 1 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
       10. The dietary supplement of  claim 8 , wherein the effective amount of said vitamin C is from about 10 mg to about 500 mg. 
     
     
       11. The dietary supplement of  claim 8 , wherein the effective amount of said vitamin E is from about 50 IU to about 500 IU. 
     
     
       12. The dietary supplement of  claim 8 , wherein the compound that supports glutathione synthesis is methionine/cysteine precursor or a glutathione precursor. 
     
     
       13. The dietary supplement of  claim 12 , wherein the methionine/cysteine precursor is folic acid and the glutathione precursor is N-acetylcysteine 
     
     
       14. The dietary supplement of  claim 13 , wherein the effective amount of said folic acid is about 100 μg to about 800 μg and the effective amount of said N-acetylcysteine is from about 250 mg to about 500 mg.